U.N. Says Globe Drying Up at Fast Pace

[Ivan Seeking]

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The world is turning to dust, with lands the size of Rhode Island becoming desert wasteland every year and the problem threatening to send millions of people fleeing to greener countries, the United Nations says.

One-third of the Earth's surface is at risk, driving people into cities and destroying agriculture in vast swaths of Africa. Thirty-one percent of Spain is threatened, while China has lost 36,000 square miles to desert - an area the size of Indiana - since the 1950s.

This week the United Nations marks the 10th anniversary of the Convention to Combat Desertification, a plan aimed at stopping the phenomenon. Despite the efforts, the trend seems to be picking up speed - doubling its pace since the 1970s.

"It's a creeping catastrophe," said Michel Smitall, a spokesman for the U.N. secretariat that oversees the 1994 accord. "Entire parts of the world might become uninhabitable."

Slash-and-burn agriculture, sloppy conservation, overtaxed water supplies and soaring populations are mostly to blame. But global warming is taking its toll, too. [continued]

Also, as a rant:

...The warning comes as a controversial movie, "The Day After Tomorrow"...

All science aside, this movie is just another example of special effects used in place of substance; be it sci-fi or otherwise. I had the plot figured within the first ten minutes or so. Then, I fail to see why another rendition of plastic miniatures, Styrofoam chunks [icebergs], and computer generated wolves [that still don't cut it] cause such a frenzy. How about a plot?

Thanks. Now I feel better.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040615/D837O6TO0.html

 

[Andre]

Well perhaps a fact is that a lot of the World has become more arid the last 8000 - 10,000 years, especially Northern Siberia, the Middle East and Africa.

Perhaps another fact is that the general receding of glaciers is primarily caused by increased aridity and not by global warming.

for backing this up you could check:

http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EAE03/02093/EAE03-J-02093.pdf
http://geowww.uibk.ac.at/glacio/LITERATUR/kaser_et_al_IJC24(2004).pdf
http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EGS02/02490/EGS02-A-02490.pdf
http://www.cosis.net/abstracts/EAE03/01829/EAE03-J-01829.pdf

However, the global warming tales are so full of propaganda like:

http://www.grida.no/climate/ipcc_tar/wg1/064.htm

On the global scale, air temperature is considered by most glaciologists to be the most important factor reflecting glacier retreat.

Gibberish, check my linx again.

And as the models consistently fail to predict the past, let alone the future, this isn't even worth a penny for a thought:

Global warming contributes to the problem, making many dry areas drier, scientists say.

We can only watch and mitigate the problem by careful water management. But that costs money, money that goes to the shredder machines of the global warmers.

 

[ravenprp]

It is deeply concerning and alarming to hear that the world is drying up at such a fast pace. The consequences of this phenomenon are far-reaching and have the potential to cause widespread displacement and destruction. It is clear that immediate action is needed to combat desertification and prevent further damage to our planet.

The fact that one-third of the Earth's surface is at risk and that this trend is only increasing is a wake-up call for all of us. It is not just a problem for those living in affected areas, but it has global implications. We must all take responsibility and work together to find solutions to this pressing issue.

It is disheartening to see that slash-and-burn agriculture, sloppy conservation, and overtaxed water supplies are contributing to this problem. These issues must be addressed and sustainable practices must be implemented to reverse the damage that has already been done. Moreover, it is crucial that we also address the root causes of these problems such as overpopulation and global warming.

It is disappointing to see that even after 10 years of the Convention to Combat Desertification, the problem is only getting worse. This highlights the need for more effective and immediate action from governments, organizations, and individuals alike. We cannot afford to sit back and watch as entire parts of the world become uninhabitable.

On a personal note, I share your frustration with the way this issue is portrayed in the media. The focus should be on finding solutions and taking action, rather than sensationalizing the issue with movies like "The Day After Tomorrow." We need to have real discussions and take real action to address this crisis. Thank you for bringing attention to this pressing issue.